Mr. Smith did not receive his medication on time, as ordered, because his nurse forgot about it and went on her lunch break. Consequently, Mr. Smith's condition deteriorated, and he was sent to the emergency room. What legal term describes this form of professional negligence?
Liability
Malfeasance
Malpractice
Dereliction of duty
The Correct Answer is C
In this situation, the nurse's failure to administer Mr. Smith's medication on time as ordered, resulting in harm to the patient, could be considered malpractice. Malpractice refers to a failure to meet the standard of care that results in harm to a patient.
Option A refers to legal responsibility for one's actions, but it does not specify the type of wrongdoing.
Option B refers to wrongdoing or misconduct, but it is not specific to the medical profession.
Option D refers to a failure to fulfill one's duties or obligations, but it does not necessarily imply harm to a patient.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
The correct answer is Choice C.
Choice A rationale: A client who had a blood transfusion and has a blood pressure of 138/76 mm Hg. This client is stable. The blood pressure is within normal range, indicating that the client is not experiencing a transfusion reaction, which could cause hypotension. Therefore, this client is not the highest priority.
Choice B rationale: A client who has skeletal traction for a femur fracture and reports incisional discomfort of 4 on a scale of 0 to 10. While pain management is an important aspect of client care, a pain level of 4 indicates that the client’s pain is manageable. Therefore, this client is not the highest priority.
Choice C rationale: A client who is 4 hours postoperative following a total hip arthroplasty and has a urinary output of 15 mL/hr. This client is showing signs of oliguria, which could indicate a serious complication such as hypovolemia or acute kidney injury. This client is the highest priority because these complications can lead to further serious issues such as shock or end-organ damage if not addressed promptly.
Correct Answer is ["C","D","F"]
Explanation
Situations that can lead to a tort against a nurse include repeating a rumor about a patient's personal life in a staff meeting, telling friends something unusual about a patient that was noted in the patient's chart, and forcing a patient to take medication against their will. These actions can result in legal action against the nurse for invasion of privacy or battery.
Option A is incorrect because referring a stranger to the patient or their family for details regarding the patient is an appropriate action.
Option Bis incorrect because respecting a patient's right to refuse treatment on religious grounds is an appropriate action.
Option Eis incorrect because placing an alarm on the bed of a patient prone to falling is an appropriate action to ensure their safety.

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